Fred O Drake Jr Park At Lake Ella

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fred O Drake Jr Park at Lake Ella is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike in Tallahassee, Florida.


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Summary

The park surrounds the picturesque Lake Ella and offers visitors a chance to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation.

Some good reasons to visit the park include taking a stroll around the lake, enjoying a picnic, and watching the local wildlife. There are also several points of interest to see, such as the historic tree grove, a butterfly garden, and a rotating art exhibit.

Interesting facts about the area include that Lake Ella was originally a sinkhole and was later transformed into a lake in the 1920s. The park is named after Fred O Drake Jr, who was instrumental in preserving the area as a public space.

The best time of year to visit the park is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the trees are in bloom. However, the park is open year-round and visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and other activities in the summer months.

Overall, Fred O Drake Jr Park at Lake Ella is a beautiful and peaceful destination that offers something for everyone, making it a must-see attraction in Tallahassee.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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